Certification & Training Assessment Group C T A G Western Region Pesticide Meeting 2002

Background  Old regulation for federal guidance to certified pesticide applicator program  Wide variance in state programs  Broadening scope of concerns for regulators and trainers

Scope of Concern  1,200,000 certified pesticide applicators  Millions apply “under direct supervision” and work as “handlers or technicians”  Sensitivity to pesticide worker safety issues

Scope of Concern  Occupational users of pesticides whose competency is not certified  Greater public concern to know the who, what, where, and how of pesticide use  Available working forum to discuss and resolve concerns

Certification & Training Assessment Group  WHO WE ARE  HOW WE OPERATE  WHAT WE DID  WHAT WE ARE DOING

CTAG Workgroup Activity State Plan Template Pesticide Safety Program

CTAG Workgroup #1 State Plan Template Workgroup  Carol Ramsay - Washington State University, Co-Chair  Debbie Danford - Texas Dept of Agriculture, Co-Chair  Donnie Dippel - Texas Dept of Agriculture  Randy Rivera - Texas Dept of Agriculture  Richard Pont - US EPA, OPP  Jeanne Heying - US EPA, OPP  Kevin Keaney - US EPA, OPP  Gina Davis - Michigan Dept of Agriculture  Jack Peterson - Arizona Dept of Agriculture  Colleen Hudak - North Carolina Dept of Agriculture  Monte Johnson - USDA CREES - PSP

Workgroup Goal To develop a standardized electronic template which will be used to maintain and submit State Certification Plan and annual certification data to EPA.

 Combines the requirements of: –40 CFR Part Submission and approval of State plans for certification of commercial and private applicators of restricted use pesticides –EPA Form H - Accomplishments Report for Applicator Certification  Provide a mechanism for capturing certification and training efforts that go beyond federal requirements. State Plan Template

 Convenient tool  Streamline the submission and maintenance of C&T plans and annual reports  Will facilitate EPA review and approval  Provide consistent national C&T plans and annual report information for more standard interpretation across states  Provides a mechanism to easily update C&T plans

State Plan Template  Front Loading  Hot Links –40 CFR Part –State laws/regulations –Helpful Hints  Electronic submission of state laws and regulations  Login ID and Passwords

CTAG Workgroup #2 Workgroup on Pesticide Safety

CTAG Workgroup #2 Pesticide Safety Workgroup  Carl Martin, Arizona Structural Pest Control Commission, Co-Chair  Pat O’Connor-Marer, University of California, Co-Chair  Kevin Keaney, Jeanne Heying, US EPA, OPP  Richard Pont, Don Eckerman, US EPA, OPP  Monte Johnson, USDA CREES  Gina Davis, Michigan Dept of Agriculture  Dave Duncan, California Dept of Pesticide Regulation  Ron Gardner, Cornell University  Rick Hansen, Minnesota Dept of Agriculture  Robert McKenna, Army Environmental Center  Randy Rivera, Texas Dept of Agriculture  Gary Fish, Maine Board of Pesticides  Win Hock and Al Muench, EPA Consultants

Workgroup Goal To provide EPA with a plan for a comprehensive pesticide safety program, for all persons who sell, mix, load, apply or recommend the use of pesticides that will... –satisfy competency issues –mitigate risks and –improve pesticide security through appropriate education, training and testing.

Workgroup Activities  Identification of problem areas or “gaps” in FIFRA and 40 CFR. –Throughout the life of a pesticide –Manufacture, registration, sales, distribution, storage, use, disposal…  Problem areas: –Pesticide security –WPS Integration –Certification and competency –Sales/distribution/registration –Tiered classification system for pesticide use

Sub-Committee Activities  Identification and Prioritizing of Problems  Rationale for Making Change  Individuals Impacted  Suggested Changes –“Grand Plan” - FIFRA, 40 CFR –“Intermediate Plan” - 40 CFR –“Immediate Plan” - C&T program

Other Activities  Impediments in FIFRA and 40 CFR Part 171 –Issue Papers: Requiring Minimum Age Requirements for Approval of State Certification Plans Requiring Written Exams for Approval of State Certification Plans Eliminating the 50/50 Grant Funding Match Requirements for C&T Programs

For More Information CTAG 2002 Update CTAG Web Page: